Friday Nasiha

Living The Quran

Ibrahim (Abraham)
Chapter 14: Verse 22 (Partial)

Polytheism
"Do not blame me but blame yourselves. Here, neither I can come to your rescue, nor can you come to mine. I disavow your former act of associating me in the past with Allah."

No one professes, at the doctrinal level, that Satan is a partner of God in His divinity. Nor does anyone worship Satan. In fact, so far as verbal expressions go, people generally curse Satan. Ironically, the same people who curse him, also follow his ways, at times consciously, and at other times unconsciously. It is precisely this which has been termed as associating Satan with God in His divinity.

Polytheism does not merely assume one form, viz. associating others with God in matters of belief. There is also another form which consists of exalting someone to a position where it becomes imperative to follow him without any sanction for it from God, or even in opposition to God's command. Such an act, according to the Quran, is tantamount to setting up a partner to God in His godhead. A person who follows someone in this unreserved fashion is guilty of setting up a partner to God even if he keeps on abusing and cursing him. Even if such a person is not treated on a par with those who commit polytheism at the doctrinal level, nevertheless his act will be considered highly reprehensible.

Source:
"Towards Understanding The Quran" - Sayyid Abul Ala Mawdudi, Vol. 4, pp. 265-267

Understanding The Prophet's Life

Falsehood is falsehood

Abdullah Ibn Amir narrated: "Once my mother called me when the Prophet was present in my house. My mother asked me to come and said that she would give me a certain thing. He asked what did she want to give? She said that she wanted to give me a date (fruit). The Prophet said: 'If you had not given him this date, then the committing of a falsehood would have been entered into your record of deeds.'" (Abu Daud).

Abu Huraira says that the Prophet has said: "Anybody who called a child saying that he would give him a certain thing, and did not give it, then it is a lie." (Ahmed)

Adoption of straight dealing and telling the truth has been very strictly insisted upon, so much so that it has been enjoined upon to take care about this in even small household matters.

Asma Bint Yazid narrates that she once asked the Messenger of Allah: "If one of us women stated that she had no desire to have a certain thing even though she had that desire, then would it be considered a lie?" He replied: "Falsehood is written as falsehood, and a small falsehood is written as a small falsehood." (Muslim)

Source:
“Muslim's Character” - Muhammad Al-Ghazali

Blindspot!

The Anti-Drugs

If you're depressed, angry, hurting, rebellious, fearful, insecure, or have some other hole in your life that needs to be filled, instead of filling it up by drinking or doing drugs, try something more satisfying and enduring. Just as you can become addicted to harmful substances or practices, you can also pick up positive addictions, and get high naturally! Here's a short list of positive addictions that may help you fill the potential holes in your life:

Exercise. Working out releases endorphins, which are the body's natural painkillers and positive mood-makers. Have you heard of runner's high, that euphoric feeling you get while running? Truly, nothing can clear your head like a good workout can.

Service. Losing yourself in service to other has always been the best way to forget your own troubles.

Hobbies. Find something you love to do and get good at it. Whether it be photography, cooking, or astronomy, hobbies produce a natural high without the big crash afterward.

Family. No one cares more about you than your family, including cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. When you're hurting, cast your burdens upon them, instead of looking for another outlet.

Faith. Practicing your religion or beliefs alone or with others can give meaning and purpose to your life and offer you standards to live by.

Friends. In times of trouble, lean on good friends. Talk through your problems with them instead of the bottle.

Source:
"The 6 Most Important Decisions You'll Ever Make" - Sean Covey, pp. 249-250